HHS Releases Review Raising Concerns About Medical Interventions for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a comprehensive review of best practices for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria. The report, titled "Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices," was published by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and the Office of Population Affairs. The review, which employed an evidence-based medicine approach, raises significant concerns about the use of medical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries aimed at transitioning children and adolescents away from their biological sex.
According to a press release issued by HHS, the report highlights the potential risks associated with these gender-affirming treatments, including irreversible infertility, sexual dysfunction, reduced bone density, adverse cognitive impacts, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, psychiatric disorders, surgical complications, and regret. The report also notes the "very weak evidence of benefit" associated with these interventions.
The release of the report comes amid growing debate and controversy surrounding the treatment of gender dysphoria in children and adolescents. Gender dysphoria is a condition in which a person experiences a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. The condition can cause significant distress and anxiety.
The report specifically challenges the recommendations made by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which advocates for gender-affirming treatments for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. Gender-affirming care aims to align an individual’s physical appearance and gender expression with their gender identity.
The HHS report suggests that the current evidence base for gender-affirming treatments in children and adolescents is not robust enough to justify their widespread use. The report emphasizes the importance of considering the potential risks and benefits of these interventions, particularly given the irreversible nature of some of the treatments.
The authors of the report also raise ethical concerns surrounding medical interventions for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. HHS believes that medical ethics should be central in this debate. The press release noted that a team of medical doctors, medical ethicists, and a methodologist contributed to the review, and that contributors were chosen for their commitment to scientific principles.
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya stated in the release that the duty of HHS is to protect the nation’s children and not expose them to unproven and irreversible medical interventions. He emphasized the need to follow the gold standard of science, rather than activist agendas. The report is scheduled to undergo a full peer review in the coming days.
Mark Trammell, the CEO of the Center for American Liberty (CAL), stated that the HHS report confirms that the "medical mutilation" of children suffering from gender dysphoria is not only unsupported by credible scientific evidence but also poses serious, lifelong risks. He further stated that it is time for America to follow the example of other nations and end the dangerous experiment of pediatric gender transition, and that children deserve compassionate, evidence-based care, and parents deserve a voice.
Fox News Digital reached out to WPATH for comment.
The release of the HHS report is likely to intensify the ongoing debate about the appropriate treatment for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. Some argue that gender-affirming care is essential for the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse youth, while others express concerns about the potential risks and lack of long-term data on the effects of these interventions.
Studies have indicated a rise in gender dysphoria among younger adults, which some attribute to increasing societal acceptance. However, this trend has also raised questions about the factors contributing to this increase and the potential impact of social contagion on gender identity development.
The HHS review represents a significant development in the ongoing discussion about gender dysphoria and its treatment in children and adolescents. The report’s findings and recommendations are likely to be considered by healthcare providers, policymakers, and families as they navigate this complex and sensitive issue. The emphasis on evidence-based medicine and the ethical considerations surrounding medical interventions for young people with gender dysphoria are likely to shape future discussions and decisions in this area.
The debate highlights the importance of careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits of all treatment options, as well as the need for individualized care that takes into account the unique circumstances of each child and adolescent experiencing gender dysphoria. As the science evolves and more research is conducted, the approach to treating gender dysphoria in young people may continue to change.
